By Fernan Angeles
THE past 24 hours have been shaky for the areas surrounding Taal Volcano, as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 11 volcanic earthquakes in Taal Volcano, which is currently under alert level 1 status.
In its early morning bulletin, Phivolcs said “weak to moderate steaming of fumarolic activity” rising 20 meters high before diving northwest and southwest was observed from vents of the volcano’s main crater.
An alert level 1 means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island.
The Taal Volcano Network has recorded eight volcanic earthquakes around the volcano from 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. the following day.
“DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited,” Phivolcs said.
Local government units are advised to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency, and communication measures in case of renewed unrest.
People are likewise told to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, possible ashfall, and minor earthquakes.
Phivolcs added that civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft.
Taal Volcano’s unrest started January 12 when it began spewing ash. Alert level 4 was then raised which means a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days, but this was lowered to alert level 1 on March 19 following a decreased activity of the volcano.